Transcript Soil Nutrients

Soil Nutrients
Soil = f (Climate, Parent material, Living
organisms, Topography, Time )
Deciduous
Coniferous
Prairie
Optimum pH for turf and gardens
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depends on species**
 kentucky bluegrass
 creeping red fescue
 sweet corn
 potato
 green bean
 tomato
pH range
6.0 - 7.6
5.3 - 7.5
6.0
5.4 – 6.0
6.8
6.0
What nutrients do plants get
from the air and water?
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Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
What are the Primary Nutrients?
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Nitrogen
Phosphorous
Potassium
What are the Secondary
Nutrients?
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Sulfer
Calcium
Magnesium
What are the Micronutrients?
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Iron
Boron
Zinc
Manganese
Copper
Molybdenum
Chlorine
What are the 16 essential
nutrients?
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C HOPKNS CaFe Mg B Mn CuZn ClMo
Functions of Primary Nutrients and the deficiency
symptoms?
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Nitrogen: other than water, most important,
determines rate of growth
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Phosphorous: needed most during
germination and during fruit/seed formation
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deficiency: yellowing of leaves
deficiency: stunted growth, purple color in
leaves
Potassium: mostly regulatory
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deficiency: stunted growth, mottled leaves
nutrients that need to be
considered?
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Yes, iodine and cobalt are essential in animals
but found in plants
Why is a knowledge of soil
nutrients necessary?
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maximize yield
maximize profit
maintain soil fertility
How do you determine soil
fertility?
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soil testing
manage organic matter
fertilize
Soil test report
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potential for deficiency
which nutrient needed
how much to apply
 fertilizer for nutrient need
 lime, sulfur amendments for pH change
when to apply
when to STOP!
What is Fertilizer Analysis?
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it is the amount of the different nutrients
found in a fertilizer
the amount is listed as a percent
it is ALWAYS listed Nitrogen-PhosphorousPotassium (N-P-K)
a fertilizer labeled 10-15-10 is 10%
Nitrogen, 15% Phosphorous, and 10%
Potassium
if there is a fourth letter it is for Sulfer
How many pounds of Nitrogen
are in a 50# bag of 10-15-10?
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10% of 50# = 5# Nitrogen
Pounds of Actual Nutrients in a
50# bag of 10-15-10?
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add up 10+15+10 = 35% nutrients or 17.5#
What is the other 65% of this
bag?
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inert matterials (filler)
Compost
What is Compost ?
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Material left after the aerobic decomposition of
organic material(s)
Organic
Material + “bugs” + O2  Compost + CO2 + H2O
General Characteristics
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N availability much lower than fresh materials
like manures, biosolids, food processing
wastes (<10% of TN)
Diverse array of “feedstocks” used to make
compost
Variability in quality of finished compost
Comes with lots of “things” besides macronutrients
Fresh Vs. Composted Organic Matter
Fresh Wastes
Compost
• High biological activity
• Some have high nutrient
availability
• Can immobilize nutrients
during early stages of
decomposition
• Highly variable in physical
traits
• Instability can increase
Pythium damping off of certain
crops
• Already gone through
decomposition, stable
• Mature compost should
provide some nutrients
• Improves drainage and
other physical
properties
• Provides for biological
control of Phytophthora
root rot
Making Your Own Compost
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Build a “bin” 5 x 5 x 5 ft.
Add organic materials and adjust to 40-60 % water
content
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Use bulking agent for wet materials, add water to dry
materials
High C:N materials take longer
Maintain aeration by frequent turning
Compost is finished when pile doesn’t re-heat and it
is difficult to distinguish initial materials